The decision by linebacker DeMarcus Ware to restructure his contract, saving the Cowboys $4 million against the salary cap, is merely one step in the team's daunting task of clearing $20 million of cap space.

With the offseason under way, Around The League examines what's next for all 32 teams. Dan Hanzus breaks down the
Cowboys.
More ...

It would help, of course, with Romo's cap number currently sitting at $16.8 million, but it's not a must.

"It is what you want to do," Jones added.

That's true. But what if it's not done? If the Cowboys do not sign Romo to a long-term deal, they are looking at more than a handful of restructured contracts in order to fix this situation. One source has been told the Cowboys could re-do as many as 10 contracts, though a team source said that sounded a bit high.

Essentially, the team would convert base salaries to bonuses, guaranteeing the players would be on the roster. It's not clear yet who, if anyone, would take a pay cut. Free would be among the targets there, though the Cowboys do see him in their future.